The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-09-07
A FRONTIER HERO.

Ny Inst Introduction 10 Dakota wa'
hardly one to impress either-that is, the
territory or myself-with any very great
liking for the other But We were both
young at that time, and Dakota, at least
has greatly improved.
1t was early in the '70s-fifteen years
ago-that / found myself on Missouri
river steamboat leaving Omaha and head
ed up stream was not altogether clear
as 10 where | was going, but | had an
idea that | would stay by the boat "a
long a. my money held out, which would
not be very long. ! hoped at least 10
reach Dakota. Not that | had any par
ticular reason for going 10 Dakota more
than 10 Texas but ON the other hand
had Texas been AS near / should certain
ly have been as apt to have gone
there.
About all ] knew-or any one else, for
that matter-concerning Dakota was that
Yankton, in the extreme southeastern
part, was the capital, and that there Was
a little settlement in that region, little
more in the northeastern corner. with
perhaps a very few scattering settlers
along the rivers elsewhere and a number
Of forts. each with a few United States
troops.
The reason that came 10 think | was
going to explore the west was that sever
al weeks before | had run away from
home with that observation-disclosures a
very good reason. but the only one had.
NV reason for running away from home
Was even less obyious. But | was away.
and too proud to 90 back-though subse-
quent events reduced my stock of pride
several hundred per cent-if may be
allowed to put il somewhat strongly. /
WAS almost beginning TO consider myself
3 man. though have since looked back
al the time calmly. and could not reIneIn-
her that ANYBODY else eyer acted as if he
considered me ANYTHING more than a
bov.
ON the occasion of which | write the
boat Sadie Bolton plowed her way up
the thick. muddy waters of the Missouri.
The mate swore at the deck hands a. oc-
casion required. the pilot swore at the
river. the engineer swore at the fireman
and pilot bv turns. and the captain oeca-
sionally Appeared and swore at things in
GENERAL
Being of an inquiring turn of mind. |
explored the lower deck and got into
conversation with one of the crew. From
him learned that Buck Hawkins was
on hoard had heard of Back Hawkins
a. the most dangerous man in that part
Of the country. He staid M the river in
the neighborhood of Yanktou mos; OF
the time hut I understood FINN my in.
formant had been down 10 i. Louis on
some sort of business and was returning
10 Yankton. felt anxious TO see him as
soon As | found he was on board. The
man told me / could doubtless do 80 if
would take the trouble to hunt up the
bar AS he and some friends were indulg
.ine, in a poker game in that immediate
vicinity
soon found the nlaee and to my
whispered INQUIRY a spectator informed
me which of the four gathered around
the card table was Hawkins. | was some.
what surprised. as he did not look as !
had pictured him. He was small. moi
over five feet seven or eight inches. and
evidently weighed less than $50 pounds
He had brown hair and grav ewes, and
although his face showed determination
and force. there WAS nothing of the reck.
les desperate which knew he had the
n.putstion of being. watched the game
for some time. | learned that the other
three were all professional gamblers and
that Hawkins was losing. The room wa.
fun of spectators. as it seemed 10 possess
interest for every one on the boat. Eve.
~ one expected trouble. There were
great stacks of chips and money on the
table. and Hawkins and the gambler op
uosi;e him each had heavy six-shooter
living ON the table in front of him, while
the others had similar weapons in theil
belts. Every one knew that the gam
blers were not plaving a square game
and that il WAS only a question of time
whom they GOT ALI of Hawkins money
That was the time trouble was expected
H. had been drinking heayilv and should
he deta,t them eheatin, II vas knoyr
he would not hesitate to shoot them al
unless they shot him first.
All the afternoon | remained close by
the table watching the game intently.
ha become almost as much interested as
the players. Hawkins money was slow
" but surely going. Once when Haw
kins was dealing he happened to touch 5
pile of mis- chips and they rolled OFF OF
the floor. Instantly sprang and gather
ed them up and placed them on the ia
bic. He lust glanced at me and saie
THANK you,n and was deep ir the gam,
again. A few minutes later there was 4
lack pot. Hawkins and the gamblel
went in. They raised each other unit
there Yxer,. several tbons;.nd dollars In II